CA- Calif. Bill Bans Unsupported Jailhouse Testimony

8-15-2008 California:

SACRAMENTO -- California lawmakers have voted to ban use of uncorroborated testimony from jailhouse informants that is used to convict criminal defendants.

The state Assembly yesterday approved a bill by Senator Gloria Romero of Los Angeles that would prohibit use of the unsupported testimony. The Senate passed the measure in May.

Assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco says jailhouse informants frequently have an incentive to lie. He says Romero's bill would help prevent wrongful convictions.

But Assemblyman Todd Spitzer says the bill would make it difficult to prosecute crimes committed in jails and prisons. He said jurors should be the ones to judge the validity of an informant's testimony.

The 80-member Assembly passed the bill with a bare majority, 41-37. ..News Source.. by 4KNBC.com